You have a change you want to see in your life. You want to achieve something, create something, or transition in some way. This change you envision gets you out of a space you are currently in now. This space might be negative or draining. You may feel unheard, disrespected, or lonely in this space. Maybe you recognize that you are not functioning to your full potential in this space and you know if you make change you will be able to better reach that potential.
So, what are you waiting for? Make change.
It’s not that simple though, is it? Change is a complex thing that often involves many different factors. It is not an easy decision that can be implemented overnight and sustained effortlessly. Intentional change requires thought and planning. It requires deliberate action and commitment. And, let’s be honest, change can be pretty darn terrifying.
Change often requires us to move into an unknown. Transition necessitates a ruffling of our habits and routines to adjust to something new. Think about any time you have moved to a new place, started a new job, jumped into a new relationship, or committed to a new creative project. Also, think about any time you left a familiar place, stopped working a job, ended a relationship, or finished/dropped a creative project.
As the saying goes, the only thing constant in life is change. Yet this consistency doesn’t make a change any easier when it does come around.
If you are at the brink of change in your life, if you are staring down the decision of maintaining the day-to-day or leaning into a transition, I want to offer you an exercise to hone your determination and center your awareness of this change.
Block off some time and space and consider the following question:
What is your why?
This is a question I ask at the beginning of my relationship with my coaching clients. When we think about the decision to pursue change in our lives, it is easy to get caught up in the logistics and the emotions and the what ifs and never clearly articulate and record the why.
Let’s break this down a little more.
What motivates you to think about this change?
Is it a need that currently is not being filled in your life? Is it a desire to move beyond the survival mode you are in and implement space for thriving?
What will happen if you do nothing and nothing changes?
Thinking about the non-change can help us define the why behind the desire for change.
What will this change contribute to your life?
Does it contribute to your confidence? Does it lend to your professional or personal growth? Does it offer you the freedom to move away from a negative or stagnant role?
Who and what in your life will be impacted by this change?
Will this change relieve stress on your close relationships? Will this change allow you to spend more time on the things that matter to you? Does this change take away anything or anyone that you don’t want to lose?
Change is nothing more than a decision, and you are capable of making decisions. You are capable of deciding how you want to approach this transition in your life. You have the ability to decide how you want to react to your current reality.
When you take this time to think about your why, you allow yourself to commit to the reality of this potential change. You confront the reality of what non-change will look like, and you consider the aspects of your life that will be influenced by this change/non-change.
Let your why fuel your confidence and remind you that you have the power to determine how you want to navigate this situation.
Write down your responses to the questions posed above. Keep these nearby and visible as a mantra supporting your ability to navigate this decision with awareness and intentionality.